Replication systems and methods for a virtual computing environment

Abstract

Hybrid replication systems and methods for a virtual computing environment utilize snapshot rotation and differential replication. During snapshot rotation, data modifications intended for a source virtual machine disk (VMDK) are captured by a primary snapshot. Once a particular criterion is satisfied, the data modifications are redirected to a secondary snapshot while the primary snapshot is committed to both source and target VMDKs. The secondary snapshot is then promoted to primary, and a new secondary snapshot is created with writes redirected thereto. If the VMDKs become out-of-sync, disclosed systems can automatically perform a differential scan of the source data and send only the required changes to the target server. Once the two data sets are synchronized, snapshot replication can begin at the previously configured intervals. Certain systems further provide for planned failover copy operations and / or account for migration of a virtual machine during the copying of multiple VMDKs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 080,531, filed Jul. 14, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 085,745, filed Aug. 1, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 168,343, filed Apr. 10, 2009, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to be considered part of this specification.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the invention relate to performing storage operations in a virtual environment and, in particular, to systems and methods for replicating data of one or more virtual machines.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Many companies take advantage of virtualization solutions to consolidate several specialized physical servers and workstations into fewer servers running virtual machines. Each of these virtual machines can be configured with its own set of virtual hardware, such as a proces...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]For example, systems and methods are disclosed herein for performing hybrid replication in a virtual computing environment by using a combination of two different replication methods: differential replication and snapshot rotation. During snapshot rotation, data modifications intended for a source server are captured by an open snapshot for, for example, a user-configured interval. Once that interval is reached, the data modifications are then redirected to a secondary snapshot while the primary snapshot is committed to both the source and target servers. At the next replication pass, the secondary snapshot is promoted to primary and sent to the target server. A new secondary snapshot is created, and writes are again redirected thereto. Embodiments of this method can allow for a faster replication process, in part, because no scanning of the datastores is required.

Problems solved by technology

However, disruptions to replications systems during copying generally require the rebuilding of an entire replicated disk, which can consume a significant amount of time and processing resources.

Images